This: “Within the economic system of free enterprise, insatiability is normalized, and life cycles are intentionally invisibilized, yet cycles of rot and regeneration are nevertheless inculcated. Tissue paper, for instance, has a short lifespan: typically after using it to wrap gifts or objects, it is destined for the bin. Natalia Villanueva Linares massages and softens tissue paper, using repetitive and accumulative processes to extend the life of this fragile and easily-exhausted material. Linares uses it to create unexpectedly monumental forms, like the thirty-foot-long tapestry, DUAL 11. The artist’s re-animation of spent tissue paper is a gesture of generosity, an act of kindness toward a humble material. Linares’ practice is one of abundance.” Written by the most luminous Shalaka Jadhav ♡ & curator, thinker, maker of the exhibition To Broadcast is to Scatter. @shalaks_j
Pictured: texts by Zoe Imani Sharpe ♡
Not pictured: the exceptional work and support of Blair Fornwald + the whole gallery team ♡
Not pictured: extract of a beautiful text by artist and writer Chukwudubem Ukaigwe
Performers of Lands of Dual 11.1:
Lee Graham, Jessa Korving, Susanne McCrea, lan Mozden, Ghost Nedohin-Macek, Kiranjit San, Justin Bear
Photographs: Ebunoluwa Akinbo
Film: Sean Guezen
🎼 The 🔪+ Fever Ray
………… Lands of Dual 12 is coming :)
My sneakers carry the drops of two transformations we did during my first workshops at @saicpics invited by artist @nellyagassi ♡
These processes multiply the works Dual 11 + Dual 8, extracting the color of their monumentality.
Counting time with colors, dividing it in palettes, expanding the lifetime of the most simple material….in togetherness.
Thank you to all participants and Nelly for taking me back to the same classrooms where I always arrived late, stayed too late and did my best to (unsuccessfully) learn nothing.
The bricks are dry now.
Photos ♡ by @at.huth + E
(Take 2) Good fresh rainy morning to you wild spirits of my heart… and future ones
Invitation number two to join us for our Spring Open Studios tomorrow at @manacontemporary_chicago from 12-5pm
Here are little treasures: my people, their gifts - they leave on my desk -, how they make this place so special and bright to me and artists in this warehouse/home to our endeavors. + my dearest friends surprising me with their tenderness ♡!!
Not pictured: artist @ryvision2025 ♡ + more fantastic people, you could have the honor to cross paths with tomorrow.
Find us
Sinking the Powerful
raising the lazy,
adding all others.
Let’s take a walk,
with all the flags
braided, so
Let there be no loneliness
Rough translation, poem
“Vamos a andar” (extract) Silvio Rodriguez
Yesterday was my birthday….I wished… for infinite formulas to keep birthing, for the pillars of my heart to be protected, for our monumental heartbreaks to become the force that burns all broken systems, for strength to create moments filled with potential. (May this little tiny flame become a firestarter)
These are raging times for togetherness.
I will be inviting you to gather our uniquenesses… hit me up, DM me your email (I promise, it will be unlike anything you have experienced before: @libraryofgestures )
My highest hug to all, with my two in love hearts, Nati
Photo: in the heavenly forest of @loghavenartistresidency by the wonderful @poynter_photo_co
This morning…I am giving my first talk + workshop at @saicpics invited by artist @nellyagassi ♡
These are little treasures I found yesterday of my student exchange (not studying) semester making my second “Entrer” (US version), having a blast with my dear dear dear @kentaro_london (What’s blowing the piece, is the heating system of the school!(when alll the classroom doors closed))
Hair = two floors
Sewing + dancing
🎼 Beirut
(haven’t changed that much ja!)
…about the first version of “Entrer” (FR version), I’ve decided to write an article this year… about the “theft of this maker’s heart”
Sweet sweet sweet sweet sweet sunny portrait by my dear @dennislarance_ ♡!!!! with my Poemathics XL for Lands of Dual 10 (gestural-musical scores for an imaginary giant music box)
....before starting the new ones... and knock on your door @sacredlodge !!!!
Honored to spend an afternoon dancing and seeing Dennis make some magic at Fortuna (more to come ♡)
Warm light, courage + strength to you and us all, from my center to yours.
🎼 Poliça
Tonight…. I’ll talk about “Mina”
Part I of a tripartite installation
After years dreaming to share my work at Comfort Station from afar… I was invited to present my first exhibition in Chicago, 2022
(I still feel its enveloping spirit every time I attend a show in this incredible building)
Mina (translation “a mine” in Spanish, a place to find treasures) was born in a church, it is a matter of silence. A composition in three parts to make silent bricks, carrying in the center a little bell 🔔, we will never see again… enveloped with dry mud, holding its stillness.
Tell your friends & your enemies to support @comfort_station and their fantastic effort to support our cultures.
There is an after party… get a ticket + meet me on the dance floor
4 arms nailing 1346 dirt bags: @lraerewop + mine
🎼Brian Eno “Silence”
Secret spirit formulae in coyote lands: Multiplying Chillona (of the Forest.1) at majestic @loghavenartistresidency
- “Some do magic… and some do harm” F.R.
- Beautiful gestures pics by @poynter_photo_co
- Last vid: extract from a message to @sophie_monjaret
🎼: Janis (definitely gave me a mini concussion), The 🔪 + Fever Ray (in excessive amounts)
Honored to share a residency with 4 incredible makers, you should meet: @thinaar@yeahliya@zackbaltichmusic@isabelladawis
Back to wearing my passport in my jacket and my whistle on my wrist. Strength + courage + colors to us all.
Last morning + last sunset with “Chillona (of the Forest.1)”
In 2023, the arquitecture of the studio welcomed the sound of the chanting trees…branches found their way to carry hundreds of loud secrets, becoming an instrument, mirroring the wind passing through.
Dancing my goodbyes at @loghavenartistresidency before transforming all my writings.
It’s sunny today… infinitely thankful to @tempestthazel ♡ for encouraging me to apply to this little place of heaven. (@leasho_johnson you can’t see it well in the pic but I am wearing your gift (every day ♡))
🎼: Janis + Nu Genea
Photo 2 + 3 @poynter_photo_co
Stay strong + stay colorful + courage + strength to all.
It’s mega official!!! Next week I’ll be going to @loghavenartistresidency !!!!!!
Working on two projects:
New Poemathics XL for Dual 12 (large gesture/music scores) + transforming all my “Chillona (of the Forest)” writings using rain water I collected during my last time with the coyotes
Packing secrets + rain for departure
Thank you to @lraerewop and @ionitbehar for their support for this residency. Looking forward to see Sarah Swinford + artist @lynnestant Last pic: @poynter_photo_co
🎼: WH!, “Siempre seré" Tito Rojas, Rita Pavone
It was 3am when I finished Chillona.Endlessly.1
…6months writing, 600 ft long (approx) pile of secrets sitting in the center of Fortuna.
The last sentence says : all the (my) hearts are simultaneously awake, they cry and beat in unison.
Thankful for all those who sat next to me, and held me from across oceans
To Minina, mi abuelita Mama Francia, nuestra Paola, baby L’eaunaq 🐈, my brother in art Alban
Sending allllll my brightest colors to those who loss too much this year, and still are… and those who fell in love, like me ♡ + ♡
